Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter today described as ‘madness’ the sale of the Port of Darwin to a Chinese corporation and called on the Federal Government to intervene.

The Northern Territory Chief Minister announced the sale yesterday, which involves a 99 year lease being granted to Chinese owned Landbridge Group.

“This is the only port between Cairns and Broome, half of the entire Australian coastline,” Mr Katter said today.

“Now it is going to be owned by a foreign corporation, I mean, are we living in a lunatic asylum?

“The only naval base operating across half of the Australian coastline will be controlled, if not outright owned, by the Chinese.

“I have some good friends in the Northern Territory Government, but they are completely wrong on this issue and there should be Federal intervention.

“We are now drafting legislation to ensure that all essential strategic facilities be and remain Australian owned and controlled.”

Mr Katter said Australia is now a country where all of our ports, airports and every other strategic facility are owned by foreign corporations, asking, what sovereignty is left?

“What does being an Australian mean, where every facility, every asset, every economic activity, is owned or controlled by foreign corporations?

“The ownership of this port means the company controls port charges, they can set whatever figure they like and decide what goes through the port.

“They can close the port to any competing development by Australians.

“So they control the port and they control the whole economy of the north western quarter of Australia.

“Let the Federal Government be warned that the Australian people will not accept this.

“It is inconceivable that the Federal Government wouldn’t get involved in this decision.

“Otherwise, can we please abolish the Australian Government, for there now seems to be no purpose for its existence.

“We’d save ourselves a hell of a lot of money,” Mr Katter said.